In the 1920’s Los Angeles was a prosperous town full of artistic opportunities for individuals all over the world. Upon the rise of the Third Reich in 1933, Los Angeles saw a massive influx of German exiles who fled Europe to seek political asylum, safety, and work. Given the Southern California industries mirrored the creative atmosphere the Weimar Republic had once fostered, many found their footings and began producing artistic works. However, adjusting to their new life was no easy task. Thousands of writers, actors, composers, and directors had left friends and family behind and still felt the pain and agony that their entire nation was fighting on the homefront. When considering the political tensions amongst the United States and Axis nations, it is to no dismay German emigrés were not welcomed with open arms. Many were left fighting for their place within the community. Emigré writer, Bertolt Brecht, once described the Los Angeles reality as functioning “like a Hollywood set that produced alienation because of its apparent perfection” which illustrates the immense isolation some felt from both Germany and their new home. Those that were lucky enough to work their way up the industry ladder faced constant discrimination, evenso as war tensions rose they used their positions to defend themselves. Due to the Los Angeles’ hostile environment saturated with anti-semitic and chauvinistic sentiments, the German exile community of Los Angeles felt a sense responsibility to speak up for themselves and fellow Germans through the incorporation of anti-nazi themes in various types of media. 

The following project will examine three forms of media: films, speeches, and writing that served as important tools for the exile community to further understand their feelings and motives as they took a stance against Nazi Germany from oceans away. As Sabine Eckmann mentions in “German Exile, Modern Art, and National Identity” the experiences of each exile vary, so when studying their artistic endeavors we may not always find a unified voice. Therefore, this project will not generalize the experiences of all German emigrés, but rather identify some main contributors and their ideas expressed in our chosen works to interpret their impact.